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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. The principal note of a triad.






2. A piece of music written in triple time. Also an old French dance.






3. First developed in the 8th century - methods of writing music.






4. A direction to play expressively.






5. The structure of a piece of music.






6. Made up of five horizontal parallel lines and the spaces between them on which musical notation is written.






7. A musical theme given to a particular idea or main character of an opera.






8. Refers to any great composer - conductor - or teacher of music.






9. A period in history during the 18th and early 19th centuries where the focus shifted from the neoclassical style to an emotional - expressive - and imaginative style.






10. A melodic or - sometimes a harmonic idea presented in a musical form.






11. A short and simple melody performed by a soloist that is part of a larger piece.






12. A group singing in unison.






13. A separate section of a larger composition.






14. Ability to determine the pitch of a note as it relates to the notes that precede and follow it.






15. Introduction to an opera or other large musical work.






16. In sheet music - a symbol at the beginning of the staff defining the pitch of the notes found in that particular staff.






17. Curved line connecting notes to be sung or played as a phrase.






18. One of the two modes of the tonal system. The minor mode can be identified by the dark - melancholic mood.






19. A 19th century square dance written for 4 couples.






20. Word to indicate the movement or entire composition is to be played gracefully.






21. A piece of music written in triple time. Also an old French dance.






22. Successive notes of a key or mode either ascending or descending.






23. A reprise.






24. Short movement or interlude connecting the main parts of the composition.






25. When several strings are tuned to harmonically related pitches - all strings vibrate when only one of the strings is struck.






26. One who directs a group of performers. The conductor indicates the tempo - phrasing - dynamics - and style by gestures and facial expressions.






27. A direction to play expressively.






28. Introduction to an opera or other large musical work.






29. String instruments that are picked instead of bowed.






30. A dirge - hymn - or musical service for the repose of the dead.






31. A short light musical drama.






32. One or more vocalists performing without an accompaniment.






33. A composition written for nine instruments.






34. Atonal and violent style used as a means of evoking heightened emotions and states of mind.






35. A Boroque dance with a drone-bass.






36. A large group of instrumentalists playing together.






37. Pleasing combination of two or three tones played together in the background while a melody is being played. Harmony also refers to the study of chord progressions.






38. A form of music written for marching in two-step time. Originally the march was used for military processions.






39. Three notes played in the same amount of time as one or two beats.






40. The first tone of a scale also known as a keynote.






41. In sheet music - an instruction to repeat the beginning of the piece before stopping on the final chord.






42. Repetition of a single tone.






43. A curve over notes to indicate that a phrase is to be played legato.






44. A dance written in triple time - where the accent falls on the first beat of each measure.






45. Three note chords consisting of a root - third - and fifth.






46. Passage for the entire ensemble or orchestra without a soloist.






47. Suite of Baroque dances.






48. The opening section of a piece of music or movement.






49. An instrumental lament with praise for the dead.






50. A single line of music played or sung. A musical sentence.